The sharp warning: You will be judged

The Prime Minister in crisis meetings before new protests
30 new demonstrations planned for Wednesday in the UK

Christina Nordh

Published 2024-08-07 09.54

Wednesday can be a nightmare - 30 demonstrations are expected.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer sat during Tuesday night in several crisis meetings - then he warned the rioters:

- You will be sentenced within a week.

In total, 30 percent of the British riot force is prepared for unrest, it is about 6,000 specially trained police officers. The police suspect that the riots on Wednesday will be aimed at law offices, writes Sky News.

This after a list of human rights lawyers' offices circulated on social media.

Several lawyers say they have been advised by the police to work from home, to protect office windows and install fireproof mailboxes.

Protests have degenerated in several places in the UK, here Rotherham. Photo: Danny Lawson/AP

A police photo on fire in Southport. Photo: Richard McCarthy/AP

According to the channel's sources, the police force is better prepared this week and finds Wednesday's challenge "manageable".

Cops everywhere

Starmer said after the crisis meetings that these were about coordination between government, police and other agencies and that they are doing "everything they can" to make sure that police are everywhere they are needed.

To the British he gave a reassuring message:

- You will be safe, he says according to the  BBC.

The police authority also believes that the worst is over now.

- Everyone who participates in the riots will discover the full force of the law, says Starmer.

The first verdicts have already been handed down.

So far, over 400 have been arrested since the stabbing in Southport on July 29.

46 suspects were charged on Monday and then another 18 until Tuesday night.

Anti-terrorist police are also investigating whether any terrorist crimes have been committed.

Prosecuted for posting

Chief prosecutor Stephen Parkinson tells the BBC that prosecutors are considering charging several protesters with terrorist offenses and that they are also considering investigating the role played by social media influencers from abroad.

A 28-year-old man has already been charged after posting a post meant to incite racial hatred during the riots. It is the first prosecution of its kind linked to the unrest.

Before the demonstrations, the police have made room for more arrests, 500 prison places are waiting and roughly as many more can be available if needed.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sat in several crisis meetings. Photo: Alberto Pezzali / AP

Starmer was asked about Elon Musk's statements that civil war is "inevitable" in the UK, but refused to give a real answer.

- Our primary responsibility is our society, that it should be safe. That is my only focus.